Fighting the Apple

I had a weeks holiday (US = vacation). We travelled up to Cumbria to stay in a caravan. We also took Wolfy. for anyone who might be interested.

I drank lots of beer, nicked chips and popcorn from the kids - but generally speaking, I behaved fairly well. I took wolfy for a run most mornings - one morning we jogged for nearly six miles. I couldn't go to the gym, but I substituted the strength training with press ups. Finding healthy food was a challenge - the only hot food on site was fish n' chips, but I found supplies of salad, fruit, cottage cheese etc. Oh, some nice local honey.

Anyway, we returned yesterday. Today I weighed in. Barely any change - 145 to 145.5 pounds. If anything, I lost a pound! This isn't bad news, but for weeks now, I have been strength training, and trying to eat for build - so far I haven't been able to increase any weight! Non the less, I am sure that I am becoming more muscular - I am certainly lifting heavier weights. Its better than coming back and feeling fat.
 
Looks like a lovely holiday. Thanks for sharing the pics. Have you tried eating more to build more muscle. I'm no expert, but I think when you want to build bulk you have to increase your calories quite a bit.
 
Yes I feel as though I eat tonnes! I eat four to six times each day - lots of protein, especially low fat cottage cheese, chicken breast, fish (including oily), low fat yogurt, steak, beef jerky, etc. I eat my starchy carbs mainly during the morning and early afternoon - porridge oats, wholemeal bread, etc. And I still aim to eat my five portions of fruit n' veg (apple, tomato, sweet peppers, fruit juice etc) - and finally some mixed nuts - sometimes some flax oil. Cottage cheese and bio yogurt I seem to at buckets of! A bowl of unsweetened low fat yogurt, with a handful of cashews and walnuts is my usual evening treat.

I'm not really complaining anyway - its nice that although I stopped cutting a month ago - I haven't gained any weight yet. I'm far too lazy to cal count, or to work out my calorific requirements - but I agree, that I could maybe increase my cals to build up quicker. I think that I read somewhere, that an increase of one pound per week is a good target for bulking up.

Anyway, I'm happy with the direction that I seem to be headed in. One month after dieting for weight loss - and so far no body fat or unhealthy weight increase - long may it continue. I don't want this to be yet another one of those boom bust diets.
 
New Fitness Goal?

I'm thinking about setting myself a few fitness goals for next year - something to aim and train for.
  1. To compete with Wolfy in a .
  2. To take Wolfy on a proper backpacking hike - just me, the dog, a tent and some beautiful remote uplands.
I have never tried hiking before, but I love walking - the furthest that I have walked in a day was 31 miles, several years ago. I mentioned this to a workmate today, who said that he and a few mates were planning on going hill walking in Wales this November, and that I was welcome to come along. I'm tempted - but it would probably mean leaving Wolfy behind, as they will be b&bing rather than camping.... I don't know if I want to do that... but it has its attractions.
 
I'm for dogs!

I noticed your new avatar (you look great) but I'm glad I joined this board in time to see your beautiful Wolfy.
The Cani-cross slide show was fabulous.

Your meal examples are down right inspirational. I love apples, salmon, whole wheat bread, peanut butter and por... er... oatmeal, so it's good for me to see someone else eat those things; it reminds me that there are good choices of things I like.

It really doesn't have to be donuts, does it?
 
I just finished reading your whole diary and its just wonderful! I love the way you focus on good food (i love the nutrient dense things too) and plenty of it. you seem to relish all the food you choose. i've been drooling all over my keyboard whilst reading your menus! also the mention of self image and how it rules us all, fat or thin. I can't understand why so many people suffer this way, it makes no sense.

you certainly live in a beautiful part of the world :) norwich reminds me of alan partridge - aha :D

great lifestyle, beautiful dog, gorgeous family - you've got it all sorted :)

what is the next job likely to be?

all the best and thanks for the inspirational journal :)
 
It really doesn't have to be donuts, does it?
Click to expand...
No Andrea - thats just it isn't it! I'm learning to enjoy food and at the same time - see it for what it is - fuel for energy, health, and fitness. Since I started weight training, I have been eating like a horse - but good stuff - not much in the way of fatty sugary processed nonsense. I'm always looking for new stuff to try - but it has to offer me something - not just taste, but nutrition as well.

I do treat myself however - and I fall from grace frequently - mainly in the alcohol department I'm afraid (I do love a bottle of wine, or to pop down to the pub for a few beers every now and then). I have started to buy bars of organic dark chocolate for myself and Mrs Ferret. A few squares of that during the evening are divine! Its one of those treats. Honey is another treat - I love it, especially in my porridge (oatmeal) - its delicious. But its a long walk away from our old habits - stuffing our faces with biscuits, crisps and chocolate every evening.

Wolfy is a beautiful dog - but he is hard work! Still, he keeps my on my toes - he really does!
 
what is the next job likely to be?
Click to expand...
Crikey - thats the hardest test to pass yet! I have promised myself that I will change job - but I am dragging my heels on this one. I'm scanning the job adverts. I don't care if its less money - I want something rewarding, with potential to improve - and something less damaging to my health than working in a stinky dusty incinerator on shift. Confidence and drive is something that I need to develop in that area.
 
I just checked out your vacation pics...what a beautiful place! I've always wanted to see standing stones in person...they are eerily gorgeous.

As for food....you make cottage cheese sound so yummy, I wish I liked it:eek:
 
Inspiration

hello toothless ,
i am new to the site and have been reading around the diaries. yours is very inspirational !! the way you have a very healthy approach to weight loss is refreshing and encouraging. I was wondering if you consulted someone about your diet etc.

sounds like you eat alot of good, nutrious foods along with alot of exercise. you incorporate the exercise into your lifestyle instead of having it as something you dread. this is great !!!!!!!

keep up the healthy lifestyle !!!:) :)
 
Thanks Dariqueen - thanks to all of my diary visitors!

We normally like to travel abroad for vacation - last year we visited Florida, and did the Mickey Mouse thing... We spent rather too much money, which is why we had an English holiday this year, but it was fun - especially taking Wolfy along with us. There are some beautiful parts of the UK - the Western Highlands of Scotland for example - problem with British holidays ... is that it rains! Still, at least we don't have trouble with bears ;)
 
newmom34 said:
hello toothless ,
i am new to the site and have been reading around the diaries. yours is very inspirational !! the way you have a very healthy approach to weight loss is refreshing and encouraging. I was wondering if you consulted someone about your diet etc.

sounds like you eat alot of good, nutrious foods along with alot of exercise. you incorporate the exercise into your lifestyle instead of having it as something you dread. this is great !!!!!!!

keep up the healthy lifestyle !!!:) :)
Click to expand...
Hello Newmum!

Ohhh I wouldn't want anyone to think that I'm an expert on nutrition or exercise! I am enjoying learning about it all - but no, no consultant. I did have some nice chats about nutrition with a naturopath who was trying to treat my back, but I mainly learn from Internet and a few book resources. Fitness websites are often good sources of information, and the BBC health website for example.

I dont really know where all of my motivation and drive for fitness suddenly came from - all my life I have lived like a slob - I even opted out of sports at school - I never played football, ran, or really anything active. For years, I ate the worse rubbish - fast food, fatty foods, ready meals, etc. Then suddenly this year, something just clicked - I swapped my slob lifestyle for one where I go to gym, go running through the forest, own a mountain cycle, running shoes - and walking shoes. I lost weight so easily that I sometimes feel embarrassed reading here how hard some people have to work at it. I know that I have been very lucky. If it was buying Wolfy that triggered this change, then maybe that dog has added several years onto my lifespan!
 
Fighting the apple? That's hilarious! Oh my goodness. I totally identify with that. Last time I bought apples, I watched them get smaller and smaller as they sat in my fruit bowl. Terrible.

Anyhow, great job losing all that weight! Keep going.
 
Need to share

Hmmmm I'm sitting here eating lovely English strawberries with a dribbling of honey, and covered with low fat organic yogurt - hmmmm

Well, I did have a good strength training session at the gym earlier...
 
Thanks Alexia! Doll? He didn't act like one today ... He came across a flock of canada geese and mute swan grazing by the river unaware. suddenly there were feathers, flying birds, running birds, swimming birds everywhere! Even more embarrassing - he failed to catch one!

Today was a rest day - I must have overdone strength training on my legs - because they really ached! I took two of my kids shopping 'up the City'. We ate in a Japanese noodle bar - and I bought some nice figs in the market place.

But ... forget that - - my contribution to the UK debate on obesity. Oh, another landmark! I bought a pair of UK size 30 (USA size 10) jeans yesterday!
 
Last edited:
I saw one of your posts on another diary and I clicked on your "fitness partner" and I just had to tell you that your dog is sooooo cute!!!!

I hope you have a great wekned! Great job on your weight loss!
 
man I know what you mean by over training hehe. I have had sore calves all week this week so ive had to go super easy on them.
They are back to normal again - next time i try skipping i may go a little easier lol :D
 
Overtraining? Nahhhh doesnt exist ;) My legs still ached today, but yesterday I had a good strength training session at the gym (starting to ge familiar with those dumbbells), so today I fancied a 'real run' - oudoors with the dog (running on the treadmill and on cross trainers is soooo boring!). We ran a lovely three mile circular trail in Thetford Forest. It was nicer weather than I anticipated, and poor Wolfy was pretty dehydrated by the time that we reached drinking water.

I have posted this in the before and during section, but I took a photo of - I have lost so much waist that it is out of adjustment :) When I first bought it, I was afraid that it wa so tight that I had chosen a too small size!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top